What Health Tests Should Breeders Do? A Guide

A puppy’s health story begins long before they are born. It begins with the care a breeder takes in choosing suitable parents, understanding their bloodlines and carrying out the right health checks. For families asking what health tests should breeders do, the most reassuring answer is not simply “a DNA test”. Responsible breeding requires a considered programme of genetic screening, physical assessments and honest interpretation of the results.

For Australian Labradoodles, this matters especially because the breed has been developed from several established breeds. Good breeders do not assume that a healthy-looking dog is automatically suitable for breeding. They use recognised testing schemes, review results carefully and make breeding decisions that protect the long-term welfare of both puppies and the wider breed.

What health tests should breeders do for Australian Labradoodles?

The precise tests needed can vary according to a dog’s pedigree, age and the health information already known within its family line. However, a responsible Australian Labradoodle breeding programme will normally include DNA testing, hip and elbow scoring, eye examinations and, where appropriate, additional veterinary checks.

The aim is not to create a guarantee that a puppy will never become unwell. No ethical breeder can promise that. Rather, testing reduces avoidable risks and gives breeders the information needed to make responsible pairings. It also gives prospective owners a clear, evidence-based picture of the care that has gone into planning a litter.

DNA testing for inherited conditions

DNA tests look for known genetic variants linked to inherited disease. A cheek swab or blood sample is analysed by an appropriate laboratory, and the result shows whether a dog is clear, a carrier or affected for a particular condition.

Conditions commonly considered in Australian Labradoodle lines may include progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), degenerative myelopathy (DM), exercise-induced collapse (EIC), von Willebrand disease (vWD), hereditary nasal parakeratosis (HNPK) and hyperuricosuria (HUU). Not every condition is relevant to every dog or every line, which is why a breeder should understand the pedigree rather than simply buying the largest available test panel and treating it as a tick-box exercise.

A carrier is not an unhealthy dog. Carriers can often be bred from safely when paired only with a clear dog for that condition, meaning no puppy will be affected. Removing every carrier from breeding at once can unnecessarily narrow the gene pool. The responsible approach is to use results intelligently, avoid producing affected puppies and retain genetic diversity where possible.

DNA results should be available for both parents, either through direct testing or through verified parentage where the inherited status is clear. Families should feel comfortable asking how results have been used when the pairing was chosen.

Hip scoring and elbow scoring

Hip and elbow dysplasia are developmental joint conditions influenced by genetics as well as growth, nutrition, exercise and body condition. They cannot be ruled out by a single test, but screening breeding dogs is an essential way to reduce risk.

Hip scoring involves X-rays assessed under an established scheme, such as the British Veterinary Association and Kennel Club scheme. Each hip receives a score, and lower scores are generally preferred. The score must be considered in context, including the breed average and the scores found in close relatives. A breeder should not focus only on one attractive number while ignoring the wider family history.

Elbow scoring is assessed separately, usually with a grade from 0 upwards. Dogs with the best available elbow results are preferred for breeding. As with hips, careful selection over generations is more meaningful than a rushed decision based on a single result.

These assessments are normally carried out once a dog is fully mature enough for the scheme. A breeder who has clear DNA results but has not completed relevant joint screening is not offering the full health picture.

Annual eye examinations

Australian Labradoodle breeding dogs should have regular eye examinations by a suitably qualified veterinary ophthalmologist. Unlike a DNA test, which can identify a known inherited variant, an eye examination assesses the dog’s eyes at that point in time for signs of inherited or other eye disease.

An annual examination is valuable because some conditions can develop later in life. Clear results from a puppyhood eye check do not provide the same reassurance as current certification for an adult dog being used in a breeding programme.

Ask to see the date of the eye certificate, not just a statement that the parents were “eye tested”. Responsible records should be current, easy to understand and linked to the dog in question.

Patella, heart and other checks when indicated

Some dogs may need further assessment based on their size, ancestry, veterinary history or the health information in their family. Patella examinations assess whether the kneecaps sit and move normally. Cardiac checks can be appropriate where there is a known concern in a line. A general veterinary examination before breeding also helps identify issues that may affect a dog’s welfare during pregnancy or breeding.

There is no benefit in pretending every dog requires every possible test. The right approach is proportionate, breed-informed and transparent. A breeder should be able to explain why a test was selected, what the result means and how it affects their breeding decisions.

Health testing is more than a certificate folder

Certificates matter, but they are only one part of ethical breeding. A thoughtful breeder also considers temperament, structure, fertility, maternal ability and the health and longevity of relatives. A dog can have excellent test results and still be unsuitable for breeding if they have an unstable temperament, poor conformation or a concerning family history.

This is particularly relevant for a companion breed such as the Australian Labradoodle. Families rightly want a friendly, confident dog that can settle into home life. Early socialisation, careful rearing and selecting parents with sound, predictable temperaments all support that goal. These qualities cannot be measured by a swab alone.

Breeders should also keep records over time. If a health concern emerges in a puppy or an adult from one of their litters, responsible practice means taking it seriously, seeking veterinary advice and using the information to guide future pairings. Openness is a sign of care, not a weakness.

Questions prospective puppy owners should ask

When you visit or speak with a breeder, you do not need to be an expert in genetics. You do deserve clear answers. Ask which health tests have been completed for both parents, whether you can see the results and whether the breeder can explain them in plain English.

It is also sensible to ask about the parents’ ages, temperaments and any known health issues in close relatives. Find out how puppies are raised, what support is offered after they go home and whether there is a contract that sets out both breeder and owner responsibilities.

Be cautious of vague claims such as “fully health checked” when no documentation is offered. A routine veterinary check is worthwhile, but it is not the same as formal hip scoring, an ophthalmologist eye examination or DNA testing for inherited conditions. Equally, impressive-looking certificates should never replace a genuine conversation about breeding choices and welfare.

At Diamond Lane Doodles, we believe prospective owners should feel informed rather than overwhelmed. Health testing is part of the care behind every carefully planned litter, alongside responsible matching, early nurturing and lifelong commitment to the dogs we breed.

Why testing both parents still does not remove every risk

It is understandable to hope that health-tested parents mean a completely risk-free puppy. Sadly, biology is more complicated. Some conditions are not covered by current DNA tests, some are influenced by several genes and environment, and any dog can develop an illness unrelated to inherited disease.

What comprehensive testing does show is that a breeder has taken practical steps to reduce known, preventable risks. It demonstrates planning, accountability and a willingness to put welfare before convenience. That is a far stronger foundation than choosing a puppy based on photographs, a low price or a breeder’s assurances alone.

Choosing a puppy is a long-term family decision. Take time to look beyond the litter announcement, ask for the evidence and choose a breeder who welcomes thoughtful questions. The right breeder will be pleased that you care where your puppy’s healthy start has come from.